Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer in The Backcountry Brides Collection

Blurb: Across Three  Autumns by Denise Weimer in The Backcountry Brides Collection

Blurb: 1778-1780 (Georgia)
Fighting Loyalists and Indians, Jenny White settles for strength over love...until Scottish scout, Caylan McIntosh, leads her family on a harrowing exodus out of Georgia's Revolutionary "Hornet's Nest."

Endorsement by Regina Fujitani for
Denise Weimer's novella:

"I loved this story of Caylan and Jenny! A knot of heart pumping excitement with nail biting anticipation."

Bio: Regina Fujitani is a Christian book reviewer and Virtual Assistant and former church secretary. She resides with her husband and precious kitty, Molly, in Virginia.

Giveaway: We're giving away a copy of The Backcountry Brides Collection this week. Leave a comment on this post and on Denise's interview (click here) for two chances to win!

Joan M. Hochstetler - A Journey of Overcoming in Publishing

Author Joan M. Hochstetler/ J.M. Hochstetler

By Joan M. Hochstetler

What can you share about your journey to getting published?

It was a looong one! I began writing in the late 1970s. I worked hard to learn the craft for several years before beginning to submit proposals to publishers. It took until 2002 before I found the right agent, Joyce Hart, who negotiated my first contract with a major publisher for Daughter of Liberty and Native Son, the first two books of my American Patriot Series, along with a very nice advance. I thought I was on my way.

Within a month of my accepting the contract, however, my editor left and a new editor came in who wasn’t interested in me or historicals in general. Although my books published in 2004 and 2005, they received little support and consequently sold poorly. The editor informed me that they weren’t interested in contracting any more of my books. What had started out with such joy turned into a deeply painful disappointment.

After that there was no interest in any of my proposals. I became so discouraged and frustrated that one day when I was alone I burst out, “I just ought to start my own publishing house!” I was startled when a very distinct voice responded, “Well…why don’t you?” I knew right away who was challenging me. And I knew that if I hesitated, I’d lose an opportunity that might never come again. So I quickly answered, “If your hand is in it, Lord, I’ll do it. Just show me the way.”

The result was Sheaf House Publishers, an independent small press founded in 2006 whose main focus is fiction. The doors miraculously kept opening—from financial resources to a distributor that took me under their wing to several terrific authors and an amazing production team. We’ve gone through some rocky times but by God’s grace have kept on weathering the storm.

I started out by publishing my contemporary novel, One Holy Night, which was awarded the 2009 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year. I also published books by other wonderful authors, including a delightful memoir by Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys, From My Perspective, that I’m very proud of. And as soon as I got the publishing rights back to my American Patriot Series, I began releasing it in the new Heritage Edition, adding 3 more volumes, with 2 more forthcoming to complete this series—the only comprehensive, accurate historical fiction series on the American Revolution. Valley of the Shadow, Book 5, released September 1. I’m currently working on book 2 of my Northkill Amish Series, The Return, coauthored with well-known author Bob Hostetler, which releases in Fall 2016.

I’m reminded of one particular praise song whenever I think about how the Lord used this painful experience to give me the great privilege, not only to write for Him, but also to publish the works of fellow Christian writers struggling to find an audience, and how He continues to lead me today. “It Is Well” says it all.

Author website: http://www.jmhochstetler.com/

Series website: http://www.theamericanpatriotseries.com/

Series blog: http://americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com/

Valley of the Shadow by J. M. Hochstetler

Buy links (hot links): to Valley of the Shadow

Amazon: 

at Barnes and Noble 

Christianbook.com

iTunes  

Giveaway: Answer the question - Do you ever wonder about authors' journeys to publication? Winner receives an ebook copy of any one of Joan's books (void where prohibited by law.)

Noela Nancarrow reviews FIELDS OF THE FATHERLESS by Elaine Marie Cooper

Fields of the Fatherless

Fields of the Fatherless

by Elaine Marie Cooper

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina's (Oct 24, 2013)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

History Comes Alive

History is bursting with stories to be told, but oftentimes some are overlooked that cry out to be shared. This is one of them. You don’t just read this story however; you are immediately transported back to 1775 to the small village of Menotomy in Massachusetts - only three months before the American Revolution. With every fibre of your being, you’ll feel the fear of the rumblings of war, watch with trepidation the ominous preparations, and when the incoming troops ride past, your heart will pound along with the thundering of the horse’s hooves. Nothing can properly prepare you though, for the assault of gunfire, the boom of the cannons, or the tortured cries of the wounded.

This is the compelling story of Miss Elizabeth Russell (Betsy), an eighteen year old woman and the only daughter of Jason and Elizabeth Russell.  When the war becomes imminent, her father instructs her to trust in God and do all she can to protect the family should he be unable to be there for them, but when he hugs her more tightly than he has ever done before, fear surges through her. What would it be like for a young woman to go through a horrific war right on her doorstep, to see and hear things she should never have been exposed to, all at a time in her life when she should be thinking about pleasant things like courting? At the beginning of each chapter, Betsy shares her journal entry of her innermost thoughts and of scripture verses that have been a comfort to her that day. These precede the chapter as a foretaste of the chapter’s essence which I found to be a poignant introduction to each one.

While the men of the area were employing their weapons to defend their rights and freedom, and facing a horror all of their own, this story is very much about the women and children that carried on their own battle against often overwhelming fears. Fear of the approaching war, of the safety of loved ones called to fight, of being discovered by the King’s soldier’s, and fear of the harrowing sounds of war; these were just some of the unsettling terrors that plagued Betsy, and the other women and children. God will use even the direst of circumstances, and Betsy learned much from her experiences, some of which she could never have imagined she’d be in. I couldn’t help but put myself in many of those same situations, and contemplating how I would have reacted.

‘Fields of the Fatherless’ is based on genuine events and people, with the author Elaine Marie Cooper keeping the real history intact as much as possible in this novel. Elaine has written this powerful story with integrity and conviction, but containing a rich eloquence that will stir your heart as evident in this quote, “The tears she kept prisoner in her heart threatened to escape her jail of restraint. Once one prisoner broke out, a flood of mourning would surely follow. She tightened her jaw and sniffed. No tears would bypass the barred doors of her tenacity.”

Your emotions will tear at your heart while reading this amazing story, opening it to empathy, forgiveness, and love, which will linger in your thoughts and heart long after you reach the end!

* * * * * * *

An ARC was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book may be purchased through Amazon or your local bookstore.

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GIVEAWAYS:  This week, Elaine will be giving away one each of the Deer Run Saga books to three winning recipients from the reviews featured this week. (Limited to USA winners)

Overcoming With God will also be giving away a copy of winner's choice of Elaine's books in e-book format. (Open to International winners)

QUESTION: What brings fear into your heart and what have you discovered helps you to manage those fears?



Elaine Marie Cooper Interview by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Elaine Marie Cooper

Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of her new release, Fields of the Fatherless, as well as the Deer Run Saga: The Road to Deer Run, The Promise of Deer Run and The Legacy of Deer Run.

Elaine, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help? 

This has been a very difficult time with the passing of my Mom last month. Although she was elderly, it happened fairly quickly and I’m still trying to recover as I distribute family memorabilia to the relatives.

As difficult as this is, however, nothing can compare to my only daughter being diagnosed with a brain tumor in January of 2002. Our lives (Bethany, my husband, our two sons) were turned upside down with the realization that this was terminal. My daughter might not see her 25^th Birthday. (She was 23 at the time) Who ever thinks their child will die? I’m sure it’s a fear that lays hidden deep in every parent’s soul but I had never allowed that possibility to ever take form in my conscious thoughts.

Yet now we faced the unthinkable: A cancerous brain tumor. Along with the many months of treatments and hospitalizations—and eventually hospice—I shared nearly every moment that I could with Bethany. Looking back, the time was a blend of exhaustion, grief, terror and anger. My Christian friends were the best support to me and I gleaned spiritual sustenance from Praise and Worship music. Those songs were a constant on our CD player.

Prior to Bethany’s diagnosis, I had already made morning devotions a priority in my life. Although I was “too busy” to keep up with this habit, I MADE time to spend with the Lord each day, reading His Word, pouring out my wrenching prayer requests. If I didn’t stop to hold His hand each morning in prayer, how would I have the strength to endure?

Bethany was with us for one year and nine months after her diagnosis. She did not reach her 25^th Birthday.

Life never returns to “normal.” As the grief counselor told me, your life takes on “The New Normal.” So I returned to work as a school nurse, and held back my tears all day. But after I got in my car to drive home each day, the floodgates would open and I would cry for most of the drive home. One day I was especially angry and brutally honest with God. “This is TOO HARD!” I shouted out loud to Him.

I felt his gentle presence and heard a very quiet, inaudible voice in my spirit: “My Grace is sufficient for you.”

It startled me. And it helped to heal my anger. I knew that He was right—His grace truly is sufficient for each day. And while I cannot bear the burden of grief on my own, He is more than willing to help me carry it. If I only ask Him.Four years to the day after Bethany died came another inaudible voice: I was to write a book. Thus began my new writing journey.

It will be ten years ago this October that Bethany went home to be with the Lord. I am currently working on the manuscript for a memoir of my daughter and our journey together during her last days here on earth. It is tentatively entitled, Bethany’s Calendar.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?

I wish that my books were available in this format but, unfortunately, they are not. Hopefully in the future.

Fields of the Fatherless by Elaine Marie Cooper

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

My books all have running themes of forgiveness and recovering from pain. Some of the steps in my own healing process weave like a thread of healing through each novel.


CFP: Elaine, I have really enjoyed getting to know you better through the Colonial American Christian Writers group and the Colonial Quills blog. I am so sorry you had to go through this loss of your daughter and our condolences on the recent loss of your mother.

Giveaways: This week, Elaine will be giving away one each of the Deer Run Saga to three recipients (from the reviews coming up.) This is limited to within the USA winners and includes The Road to Deer Run, The Promise of Deer Run and The Legacy of Deer Run.  Overcoming With God will also be giving away a copy of winner’s choice of Elaine’s books in ebook format (open to international winners.)

Roseanna White's New Release Ring of Secrets Reviewed by Marian Baay

Ring of Secrets

Ring of Secrets

by Roseanna White

Harvest House, 2013

Reviewed by Marian Baay

5 stars~*****

Roseanna White pens an intriguing story set in the Revolutionary War, where we meet Winter Reeves—a young lady who lives with her wealthy grandparents in New York. Winter’s mother died and her father is serving in the Patriot army. Winter also believes in the cause her father is fighting for, but she must keep her convictions secret. Her best friend in New York is an agent in the Culper Ring and he asked for her help.

Winter is acting like an unintelligent girl, so that people will easily share secret information with her. People are convinced she’s stupid—a perfect cover to get important information. Colonel Fairchild of the British army is courting Winter. He likes how she is and he thinks it is harmless to share information about the British army with her…of course he has no idea that she actually is a Patriot spy.

Bennet Lane comes back to his childhood home in New York to search for the Patriot spy among the elite. He needs a cover to attend balls and parties and therefore starts courting Winter. He finds out that she is smarter than she let on. He finds her intriguing and mysterious. So he tries to find out what secret she hides. Will he be able to unravel the secrets about Winter?

Now Winter has two men courting her. Winter starts to like Bennet more than Fairchild…but she needs Fairchild for her spying activities. She knows very well that when she’d choose for Bennet then she must tell him where her loyalties lay, and then she’d probably loose him for good. So she decides it’s best to keep her feelings under control.

Can Winter keep her spying activities secret? And what choice will she make when her grandparents give her an ultimatum to get married within 6 months time, or else she must leave their house?

I really enjoyed this first book in the Culper Ring Series. I liked the clever plot, the enjoyable writing style, the suspense, romance, and historical detail. I actually learned a thing or two about American history. Good job, Roseanna!

*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley.*

You can find Roseanna's books on Amazon, CBD, B&N, and other bookstores.

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GIVEAWAY: "Ring of Secrets" by Roseanna White,  winner's choice of format.

TO DO: like Roseanna's author page on Facebook to enter the contest. Put RW in your comment and don't forget to leave your email address if you haven't won on our blog before.

Teresa Mathews Reviews Beyond the Valley by Rita Gerlach

Beyond The Valley by Rita Gerlach
Book Three of the Daughters of the Potomac

Abingdon Press

5 Stars*****

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews

Once again Rita Gerlach takes us on an intriguing journey that starts in 1778 Cornwall, England and ends in a place we fell in love with in the past two books of this series, the wild but wonderfully picturesque Potomac Valley. Here we are given the complete story of a beautiful young widow longing for the love of a family but it seems she will never have it. 

Since losing her husband Jamie, Sarah Carr has no family left so she does what Jamie would have wanted and turns to Jamie’s sister Mary and her notorious smuggler husband, Lem Locke for help. But sadly they would not provide what Sarah needed, instead they arrange for her to be kidnapped and placed upon a ship bound for a country that is at war. Once Sarah arrives in America she cannot believe that she is being sold on the auction block like an animal to the highest bidder, how much more can she endure?

Sarah’s new owners The Woodhouse’s treat her well and during her time with them she meets a young army doctor and hope begins to spring up in her heart that maybe one day she could be free to fall in love. Dr. Alex Hutton is smitten with Sarah from the first moment he meets her, he will do anything to rescue her from the hard life she has had to endure. But before he is able to convince Mr. Woodhouse to let him buy Sarah's freedom, she is sold to a foul smelling trader and whisked away deep into the wilderness and thus starts the horrendous chain of events that will separate them, possibly forever. 

During the time Sarah and Alex are separated she has to endure being held captive by Indians and wandering barefoot through the wilderness trying to avoid being retaken by the same Indians she escaped from. Then just when things seem at the lowest, Sarah finds sanctuary at River Run in the wilderness of the Potomac. Eliza Morgan and Sarah become like sisters and their love for each so strong that Sarah will do anything to protect Eliza. Will Sarah finally have peace in her life or will she have to endure even more lies, deception and sorrows before that comes? Will Alex be able to follow the winding trail of Sarah’s life so they can finally be together?

With this book Rita has taken me on the adventure of a lifetime in the wilds of the Potomac. Sarah’s story was one that deeply touched my heart, it had me wanting to reach out to this beautiful young woman that had endured more things than ten women could handle and yet she never wavered in her faith that God would bring her Beyond the Valley. Rita has a talent for details that will blow your mind, once you pick this up you will not want to put it down until the last page is turned, then you will find these characters have a place in your heart forever. For those who haven’t read Beyond The Scarlet Dawn and Beside Two Rivers you will be able to read this as a stand alone but I do suggest you read those also because you do not want to miss Eliza’s story. For the ones that had the pleasure of reading the first two you will find yourself once again enthralled by Rita’s captivating writing but then again I think you already know that.

You can find this book and others by Rita at Amazon, CBD, B&N, and BAM.

QUESTION: Despite all the bad things Sarah had to endure she never gave up on God, she relied on prayer and scripture to sustain her. What is your favorite scripture when things are going bad for you?

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE OUR WINNER!!

Colonial Quills Serial Anthology and Tea Party!

We are offering a holiday gift to our readers over at Colonial Quills. Through mid-January we have NINE authors contributing to a serial anthology of Christian historical fiction!  FREE!  Three of the chapters have already gone live--Carrie Fancett Pagels's, Susan F. Craft's and Carla Olson Gade's contributions.

Here is the schedule: Click here  Follow the links in the schedule to read each part of the three serials posted.

There is a giveaway associated with EACH serial post.  Leave a comment on each one to be entered for a book by Laura Frantz, Susan Craft, and/or Carla Olson Gade.  








Today, on Black Friday, we are having a 
Tea Party on Colonial Quills to celebrate publications by Kelly Long, Dina Sleiman, and Gina Welborn. We will be announcing the giveaways from the first three serials and also giving away THREE books: copies of a book by Kelly Long, Dina's ebook, and a novella by Gina.  We will also have a colonial gift basket for one winner who comes "in character" which always makes things so fun!!! Come on by!  And make sure to come by Overcoming With God (our new name!) tomorrow, too, for our giveaway over here.  

Put OWG at the CQ party to have your comment count THREE times in the giveaways! Who needs Black Friday when you can have a great time with our colonial friends and enjoy tea and refreshments!  See you there!

Teresa Mathews Reviews Carving A Future by Carla Olson Gade

Colonial Courtships

5 Stars****

Novella One of Colonial Courtships (Romancing America)

Carving a Future

by Carla Olson Gade

 (Barbour Publishing, Oct. 2012) 

In this first book in the Colonial Courtships Novella Carla starts us on our colonial times journey by taking us back to 1753 to Glassenbury, Connecticut. There we are introduced to the Ingersoll men, Nathaniel, Jonathan, Micah and Alden and as the title suggests these young men may be meeting some very lovely young ladies but the fun of it is how they will meet.

Constance Starling is not sure she will survive this horrible nightmare she has had to endure since she was abducted from her home in England. Half starved and almost dead from thirst she fears she will never see freedom again. Captain Smout thinks to sell Constance as an indentured servant and as providence would have it she is rescued by a handsome kind stranger that reluctantly agrees to buy her contract. Will he believe her story when she tells him she has been abducted?

Nathaniel Ingersoll was not expecting to come home with anything other than their needed supplies. But he couldn’t leave that poor girl lying on the deck of that ship with the evil Captain Smout. Now Nathaniel is the not­ so proud owner of a very sick indentured servant that his family doesn’t need and cannot afford but even worse he had to agree to repair Capt. Smout’s figurehead on his ship to pay for her. Is the story she told him true? Could she really have been taken against her will? What will happen when Nathaniel starts to spend more time with Constance? Could it be God has a plan in all that has happened?

Carla does a wonderful job setting the stage for this great novella. The characters are exciting and their stories are quite appealing. Thanks Carla for this enjoyable read!

Colonial Courtships is available in print and ebook at CBD. The Book Club Network store,  Barnes and Noble and Amazon. The Shadow Catcher's Daughter is available at Signed by the Author. Giveaway:  A copy of either of Carla's books, paperback or ebook (Ebook only for international winners.) 

This giveaway is for followers of this blog who also follow Colonial Quills.  You can also get an extra entry if you follow Carla's blog (Carla's follower box is on the left on her blog.)  You get an entry for each of those that you follow so you have up to three entry counts.  

Put OTT if you follow us, CQ for Colonial Quills, and COG for Carla Olson Gade followers.

Question:  What kind of novellas do you most enjoy reading?  

Review of Kelly Long's Arms of Love

Arms of Love
By Kelly Long
(Thomas Nelson, 2012)

This is the first Amish colonial I have seen. I applaud Kelly for tackling this time frame, which is a favorite of mine as the Founder of the Colonial American Christian Writers group, of which Kelly is a member.

 

Bibliotherapy: This book is full of more bibliotherapy uses than any other book I have read so far this year. We have loss of spouse, loss of parent, war, depression, PTSD, murder, love thine enemy/ friendships among enemies, child abuse, and sibling rivalry. For those of us with mental health backgrounds, there is a character whose behavior is consistent with Asperger’s.  Whew, I had to take a break after writing all that!  So, as you can imagine this is not a typical Kelly Long book. These colonial Amish characters are quite angsty and the story fairly dark. This book feels as though Kelly poured herself into it during a difficult time. Thus, the emotion on the page is very real.

Kelly is an amazing romance writer and her characters well developed. I really enjoyed the mature couple romance and I appreciate that Kelly gave us a realistic courtship. I’ve heard too many criticisms of short courtships after the death of a spouse. For this time frame and setting it makes sense. The hero and heroine are perfect for each other.

There is a strong spiritual thread and great explanations of the early Amish society and life.

Caution: I am one of those people who do not want to read violence on the page. While much of the abuse, etc., is kept off the page, there was some.

I read this review as a download through NetGalley via Thomas Nelson Publishers.  I am not required to post a positive review.  My opinions are my own. 


GIVEAWAY: We are giving away a copy of this book or any of Kelly Long's books this week.  Leave a comment to have a chance to win one of her many wonderful Amish books! 

Carrie Fancett Pagels' Review of Printed on My Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes

We are deviating from our normal format this week - Laurie Alice Eakes week here on Overcoming Through Time - With God's Help.  A brief interview and commentary will be up next Saturday. We begin the week with a review of Laurie Alice's contribution to a wonderful four novella compendium that recently released.

Highland Crossings

By: Laurie Alice Eakes, Pamela Griffin, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, and Gina Welborn

(Barbour Publishing, 2012)

Highland Crossing is a four-novella collection of Scottish immigrants, centered around an heirloom brooch. 

1758 - Printed on My Heart, By Laurie Alice Eakes

Stacks of paper at Colonial Williamsburg

This is the second novella in the series.

Laurie Alice Eakes and Gina Welborn

The really fun part of reading this novella was that I took Laurie Alice around Colonial Williamsburg, with Gina Welborn, last year when she interviewed the printer there. 

Laurie Alice is blind but the reader would never know that reading her work. She gives great details.

Laurie Alice Eakes interviewing printer at Colonial Williamsburg

This novella is yet another example of this author’s ability to pack a shorter book (in this case a novella) with unbelievable details without sacrificing the integrity of the story. 

Colonial Williamsburg Printers' tool

And what a lovely romance! Laurie Alice has you loving poor Fiona and her hero Owain before you can say “I do”!!! 


Laurie Alice's books can be found on Amazon, as well as CBD, and other book stores.


GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Laurie Alice Eakes' books, choice of format.